"The power of the oak is in the acorn."
Joseph Campbell
Carolyn V. G. Koesters is a full-time writer and is grateful for the opportunity to connect people all over the world through her words. She has been journaling since the age of 7 and discovers her own creativity not only through her writing but also with journal-making, yoga, ballroom dancing and other artistic paths. She recently has created a workshop called "The Power of Writing" that empowers people to use journaling and personal writing to manifest change in their life through many techniques, called "Wishwriting". Carolyn's new monthly column found here at motheri.com, is called "The Oak and The Acorn" and will focus on creativity and the many ways to invite creativity to come and play in women's hearts and lives every day.
Sometimes when I think of creativity, I am reminded of the story of the 6-year old who dropped a big jug of milk in the kitchen and all of the milk poured out onto the floor. The child became very upset, fearing how angry his mother would be. The mother instead took a moment and knelt down beside her child and said, "I know you’re sorry about the mess. I’m sure you will be more careful next time. Before we clean it up together, would you like to play in it?" The child, amazed at the opportunity, began to smile again and the half game, half cleaning up was fun for both.
It is a huge step to recognize this moment, and the mother that can look at a floor covered with milk and decide to play in it is very strong, indeed. But what lesson has been taught? To recognize the moment for creativity.
In this moment, you honor Creativity. By making the chore into a game, the child has learned to look at difficulties or tasks in a new way. Through these eyes, he has learned another way to play.
Creativity often feels like play. It looks like the crayon/scissors/construction paper aisle at the drugstore, and feels like toes in the sandbox. It sounds like a jump rope song and sparkles like glitter on glue. It grows within a child’s hand and heart, the ones we never outgrow.
Part of cultivating creativity is to find and nurture that child inside. Listen to what it wants. Who says you’re too old to make mud pies and play dress up? Your children listen all the time to that voice that is constantly saying, "Climb this. Color that. Get dirty. Make believe."
We play all the time with our children. Next time play like we are children.
Carolyn would love to hear from you! email her at powerofwriting@yahoo.com
